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'Watch Dogs' Will Be The Wii U's Biggest Third Party Test

May 27th will bring the release of Watch Dogs for Sony’s PS4 and PS3, Microsoft’s Xbox One and 360, and PC. Production is wrapping up on all those versions, and now Ubisoft has the time to turn their attention to one final platform, Nintendo’s Wii U.

“Right now [the Wii U version is] currently being done, but I’m not directly involved. We wanted to finish all the platforms that we are currently shipping,” Watch Dogs’ Creative Director Jonathan Morin told Red BullRed BullGaming. “We needed those guys to get [the shipping versions] finished, and the good news now is that they’re all fully focused on the Wii U version, making sure it gets the attention it deserves to make it the best version it can be.”

The Wii U version has been delayed supposedly because of the extra time Ubisoft wanted to take integrating the gamepad into the game. There’s no word on when Watch Dogs for Wii U will ship. It could be a month or two, but more than likely it’ll arrive in the fall.

You could argue both ways that the Wii U either is or isn’t a priority for Ubisoft. Neglecting it in favor of literally every other platform might make it seem like an afterthought. Or, they really did just want to focus on making the Wii U version special, something they couldn’t do while making five other versions that were all roughly identical. Ubisoft has always been a friend to the Wii U, producing some of its best third party games like ZombiU and Rayman Legends, so I would suspect they’re being genuine and just trying to make a great Wii U version of the game.

But here’s where it’s crunch time for the Wii U and its third party AAA dreams. In a perfect world, NintendoNintendo would have a console that could not only its own collection of amazing first party titles, but also every big multiplatform game that’s release across Xbox One, PS4 and PC. At first, it seemed like the Wii U might be that console, but those dreams were quickly shattered when at launch most of the major third party games out for the system were ones released months ago for older platforms (Mass Effect 3, Arkham City) and what few current AAA titles have debuted on the Wii U since are almost always viewed as lesser versions. Most big companies have opted to skip the Wii U altogether when picking platforms for their games, with Ubisoft being one of the most prominent exceptions.

That’s why ‘Watch Dogs U’ has so much to prove here. It would have been ideal for the game to be released alongside all the other versions so the Wii U doesn’t feel even more behind its competition than it already does, but if that “special attention” makes the Wii U version the best version, won’t that make it worth it?

It’s a lot of pressure on both Nintendo and Ubisoft. There could not be a big AAA multiplatform game more suited to shine using the Wii U’s gamepad than Watch Dogs. The game has you hacking anything and everything in a futuristic city, and the Wii U’s controller can literally function as the touchscreen mobile device the central character uses in the game. No other version has that. The Wii U won’t have the flashy graphics of the PS4, Xbox One or PC versions, but if they manage to make use of the gamepad in an effective way, Nintendo’s version could be the best one of the bunch.

But if it doesn’t live up to these expectations? I’m really not sure how the Wii U can ever make the case for being the preferred platform for any third party game again.

Watch Dogs is a slow pitch straight over home plate for Nintendo’s console. It’s a hugely anticipated game that practically looks like it’s designed to be played with the Wii U’s tablet controller. In short, I don’t think Nintendo’s console will ever get another chance to prove itself like this. If Ubisoft, now dedicating their sole focus to making use of the gamepad and building a unique version of the game, can’t produce a third party hit for the Wii U with Watch Dogs, I think the system is destined to live out the rest of its days simply waiting for the next Nintendo sequel to drop as outside developers continue to ignore it.

For as much as Nintendo loves to raise my blood pressure with its struggles, I’m still holding out hope for that beautiful apex of first and third party games from Nintendo. Though at this rate, I’d say that dream is more likely to come true if Nintendo shifts to software only, rather if they continue to stay in the home console game. Here’s to hoping Watch Dogs U proves me wrong.

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Except what the WiiU gamepad can do isn’t all that unique, Xbox One and PS4 can achieve similar results with the Xbox SmartGlass and PlayStation apps for mobile devices. Also the PS4 can support WiiU gamepad-like functionality via the Vita acting as a game controller.

Except no one really buys the Vita that much now do they. The Wii U is a fantastic gaming system and idea. It’s really up to the lazy third party developers to utilize the potential behind this. Instead Third Parties are being lazy and rinse-repeat.

The thing it’s integrated to the console, which means it could have core gameplay mechanics, you’re not expecting an Xbone or PS4 game to ask you for your Ipad to continue playing. Yes you could have the option but its more like an alternative rather than the main way to play. Although if it does look like only an alternative the Wii U indeed has little to work with.

Still it’s most redeemable feature is local multiplayer with off TV gameplay. That and if more games would like to support 5-player local multiplayer.

There are almost as many PS Vitas as there are Wii Us sold. Calling 3rd party devs lazy because they won’t make games that won’t sell to Nintendo’s market isn’t an intellectually honest statement. The tablet controller for the Wii U is such a gimmick.

The Gamepad is very great Phil for a controller but still I and I think most people wouldn’t pay full price for a game that has already been out for months and besides that ubisoft doesn’t provide all the important dlc to wii u like they did with assassin creed so I brought a ps4 and still refuse to buy Watch dogs.

I’m gonna have to disagree: Watch Dogs will NOT be Wii U’s greatest 3rd party test simply because it’s engine is still being derived from the PS3/360 engine which will absolutely limit it’s graphic capabilities. The mechanics and intuitive aspects of Gamepad touchscreen play may overshadow the graphical deficits the Wii U version has but unfortunately Ubisoft has once again decided to push off the Wii U version release in favor of releasing it on consoles with higher installed user bases. This may yield higher revenue in the short term, which I’m sure higher concern to them from a fiscal standpoint, but by doing this they have all but guaranteed their Wii U version of the game will sell poorly!

If I was to pick a 3rd party title that will have the greatest potential for showcasing the POWER the wii U architecture has because of not being limited by the antiquated PS3/360 co-development, that title will probably be Project CARS!

Just to make things worse for Wii u, please clarify that because the more they keep making Wii u looking like a look over the more closer I become to being done with Ubisoft. They say this is a big test for 3rd party support and I honestly think that is unfair. You can’t blame people for thinking twice about buying a game full price that has already been out for months, or provide the same game to Wii u with missing features and no DLC. I feel bad for Wii u because it isn’t bad at all and I play that and my Ps4 back and forth. NO HOPE FOR 3RD PARTY SUPPORT

Two main issues here. One, the release so long after the other versions means that, even if it is a quality version of the game, its sales will be very low due to anyone wanting the game getting it on another system. Secondly, and more importantly, previews are already mixed at best. The game will score a solid 7 maybe 8 at very best. The Wii U will have potentially the best version due to the gamepad (smartglass and Vita arguments are idiotic) but, unfortunately, the game does not appear as essential as the hype originally suggested.

The Wii U version will fail even if it’s superior. Game sales are mostly based on hype, especially in the AAA setting. When the Wii U version comes out, it will be old news. If the game gets good ratings and everyone is talking about it, nobody will wait for the Wii U version while everyone is playing on PS4. The hype will be gone when the Wii U version comes out.

The Wii U version will fail even if it’s superior. Game sales are mostly based on hype, especially in the AAA setting. When the Wii U version comes out, it will be old news. If the game gets good ratings and everyone is talking about it, nobody will wait for the Wii U version while everyone is playing on PS4. The hype will be gone when the Wii U version comes out. Plus you will be paying full price for an old game.